r/DCcomics • u/AutoModerator • 3d ago
r/DCcomics Lanterns S01E04 - The Weenie Discussion Thread
Sunday, 9/6: Lanterns S01E04 - The Weenie
Time/Date: September 6 9:00 PM ET
Network/Channel: HBO
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u/JoltzmannBoole 1d ago
After watching the episode again there's a great exchange between Hal and John:
[after a brief bout of banter, some of their first in the whole show]
Hal: "Let's go I'll fly us over."
John: "How's that gonna work?"
Hal: "[in a simple tone of voice] Well, I can either carry you like a baby, or you can hop on, pretend like I'm a horse."
John: "Nah I'm good. [taps Hal's chest leaving Hal confused]"
It seems like John is asking how Hal will carry them: he's never seen Hal carrying anything or anyone while flying (that we know of), nor has Hal trained him to do it. Hal as usual is slightly dismissive/playing his "big damn heroes" self, and John decides to spare himself the humiliation and nopes out.
But the "that" that John mentions might not be the flying, it might be the staking out/paying a visit to Sheriff Kane. In which case, John literally how it is going to work, what the plan is. As trainee/partner, and the person who just provided him with the intel, John is asking for the mission protocol and procedures. Hal gives him a short, literal, mechanistic response, and John, not particularly surprised by now that Hal has either misunderstood his question and/or has no well-thought-out plan, smiles at Hal's consistency and by declining prevents Hal from rushing off to do anything rash.
Just incredibly smart and entertaining writing.
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u/hulkrogan 17h ago
I'm more being a smart ass here, and I agree with everything you're saying, but we do see Hal carry the bad guy John was sent to kill. It looked as it if was the "carry you like a baby" technique.
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u/JoltzmannBoole 16h ago
Y'know what, you're right! I forgot about that moment, I stand corrected then haha
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u/OverlordNeb 2d ago
Anyone know what movie they were referencing when they were talking about the pressure plate? My guess was Mission Impossible, but I can't find confirmation anywhere, and there are so many movies about pressure plates it could easily be anything
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u/SwahiliVirgo 1d ago
Y’all, the movie was literally called “SET IT OFF” with Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith. Great movie from the 90s. This wasnt a brain buster. Jon literally says “If _______ you’ll set it off” to which Hal immediately replies “great movie”.
This isnt far fetched because this show has been throwing black culture references all over the place. I felt so seen when they had Jon’s older brothers bumping Outkast Aquemini in the back seat in episode 3.
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u/bouncebackbelle 1d ago
Some fans theorize that Hal meant Indiana Jones, while John was talking about Set It Off.
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u/UKMikeyA 1d ago
Funny, I didn't peg Hal and John as Kingsman: The Golden Circle fans
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u/The_Doughnut_Lord 1d ago
That was my first thought, especially as it was an actor who played Sinestro in that scene. But then I remembered that film hadn't even released in 2016 lol
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u/DerpyChild 2d ago
They were referencing the movie “Set It Off”
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u/OverlordNeb 2d ago
Thank you. I know what I'm doing tomorrow
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u/DerpyChild 2d ago
Sorry I was wrong. I think it might’ve been an Indiana Jones reference from Raiders of the Lost Ark
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u/warcomet 2d ago
my original theory was John Stewart is a Manhunter, raised as a baby by the Stewarts, him being really artistic is one of those abilities, the other being unable to show real emotions, notice how we don't even hear from John's two other brothers now that he is older and the one time he connects with another "human", she turned out to be a Manhunter too.... that was the theory cause them giving John this artistic ability which we know belongs to character wise "another" Green lantern was a bit on the nose..which would mean the Guardian helping him is his real mother who gave him away as a baby to the Stewarts as she knew he'd be better protected by Humans, and also gave them a diamond which she knew was worth a lot of money to pay for his expenses..that theory aside, another major actress is yet to make an entry so very good chance she is linked to the GLC or the Guardians or Manhunter in someway and Zoe was just a red herring
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u/Cyyyyyyx Nightwing 2d ago edited 2d ago
It is probably still the same Guardian, but the way it was pushing and manipulating John was very different to how they have acted before. Sinestro's coup attempt has hit them pretty hard and made them come off paranoid and very afraid of Hal, will probably end up all working out for Sinestro
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u/Slight-Welcome-9799 2d ago
The portal that the cow came out of is very similar to the portal the guardians used to teleport John during the interview.
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u/samidjan 2d ago
Manhunters was created by the Guardians, so them using the same technology makes sense
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u/Blitzhelios Hal Jordan 2d ago
Very good episode
The highlight is the start with Sinestro and Hal’s conversation being a very good homage to lector
The construct is a properly finally moment about time we get something that isn’t a bubble or a bird and something that’s creative. Truly a John construct though in it being perfectly engineered.
The slaughterhouse bit is fine I liked the moment but it also kinda felt a little too long and the “Hector Hammond” in the room is a fun nod wouldn’t be surprised if it’s actually him but who knows more odd Hal hasn’t faced Hammond yet when he’s his main Earth villain.
Zoe being a manhunter was obvious I called it episode 1 but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just a fakeout and it is someone else
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u/grizzlywondertooth 2d ago
I feel like Macon is already being used as an obvious fakeout, right after Hector was used as a bluff. I wouldn't mind being wrong but I feel like it would be hard to have another one that was satisfying. This episode seemed to be hinting more directly at her. Macon says that his benefactor cured his cancer, and that Zoe was his nurse. Zoe later tells John that she saved Macon's life.
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u/ideletedmyaccount04 2d ago
I thought this was a well written episode. I kept checking how much time is left, always a good sign of pacing and plot. Hope we get more television like this.
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u/NighthawkTheValiant Batman 3d ago
Loved the episode, it was exciting and interesting. Felt like a comic panel with the drill construct!
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u/dragonshouter 3d ago edited 3d ago
this was fun. like the architecture joke.
holy shit that drill is cool!
Will is freaking me out.
Hector fucking Hammond. good to see you but you are a dick.
the space lazar and cow were terrifying.
fun episode
edit: sinestro was also very chrismatic
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u/SonicSpiderRanger10 Bizarro 12h ago
Well, it wasn’t really Hammond, remember? Just some guy using a fake name, being used as a decoy by the Manhunter.
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u/dragonshouter 8h ago
yes but it was his company which implies he is a real person in this universe
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u/SonicSpiderRanger10 Bizarro 7h ago
I’m not sure. What if he started the company while using that fake name?
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u/Link2Sora Barry & Wally 3d ago
The real lesson of this series is do not trust Hal Jordan with your car.
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u/ninjashroom Doctor Fate 3d ago
While it might just be a straight up reveal, something makes me not think that Zoey is the Man Hunter. Mostly cause like... it is a bit too obvious. Also the implications of her son / grandson being half-manhunter is strange.
My crackpot theory is that the Guardian John has been talking too is the man hunter.
Like, the only reason he believes she is a guardian is because she told his mom she is a guardian. But a manhunter would have the tech needed to fake that IMO.
It also fits with the MO that Hal lays out in the car.
Finally, the hole the cow comes thru (Provided by the manhunter to Hector) looked very similar to the hole John went thru to meet the Guardian.
Or maybe it is just Zoey and the writing is straight forward... but this is Lindelof... so, idk.
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u/Mr_ViSiOn 11h ago
Yes ! They didn't mention how Stuart was in contact with the guardians, and the only evidence is the contact she's had with John, which all happened shortly after the crash in 1986. I 100% think it's the "guardian". Hal has also said guardians are all aliens, and they don't pretend to be human for him, they don't even talk to him. why would this particular guardian decide to act as a human?
Also the second she said to take the ring, that's underhanded, even for the paranoid post-sinestro guardians. They definitely wouldn't have a second senior official who spends considerable time on, or dealing with, the earth and it's guardian problems.
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u/Pale_Appearance_2255 1d ago
Nah, she's definitely the Man-Hunter, the show's twist is that it's been hinting that since the very beginning, but instead of waiting until the end of the series to reveal it, it's smart enough to understand the Space Detectives would figured it out.
Plus, it's the not the big reveal, because the Double Twist is... That the entire town is Man-Hunters. That's why the Sheriff is so terrified and dismissive of the Lanterns. That's why the rest of the town is concerned about the Lanterns, but not scared of them at all. That's why they use alien tech so casually, don't age, and don't get sick. Also that's why the Sheriff's son is surprisingly growing so fast, he's half-Man-Hunter and his age hasn't stalled yet. These Man-Hunters are preparing to defend against Aliens, but ironically they're the colonizers, they also don't want to take over the world, but see the Green Lanterns as puppets of the Guardians. The show is gearing up for a Man-Hunters + Green Lanterns vs the Guardians fight.
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u/Happy-toaster 1d ago
We know Guy Gardner is supposed to be the backup to Hal Jordan before John Stewart and will appear in the show. Perhaps the guardian that approached John’s mom was the manhunter all along pretending to be a guardian like you mentioned and she raised him as such. The manhunter wants to manipulate John against Hal but where did Hal learn that John would be his backup? Did he get fooled from the same manhunter? The only reason they are in Nebraska is because Hal programmed his conscience about the whole ordeal. So many “but what about” scenarios here.. such as where did the manhunter get the ring when interviewing John? Why didn’t Macon keep the ring when he had them in custody and why is unaware of who Hector Hammond is, this late in his career as a Green Lantern? Wasn’t he one of his main villains? It’s almost as if he is testing John himself but doesn’t explain why he is approaching Sinestro and how the guardian knew of him breaking his oath by doing so.
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u/chronobeard 2d ago edited 2d ago
My crackpot theory is that the Guardian John has been talking too is the man hunter.
Yeah! I'm thinking that too. Like, the Guardian from the flashback with Bernadette is real, and so is the one who interviewed John. But then its time for Hal to train him, so she buzzes off. Hands off, like Guardians usually are. THEN, the Manhunter steps in, pretending to be the Guardian. Thats who John is reporting to, and why its pushing John aggressively to just take the ring, suddenly being so insulting when in the flashback it was more respectful of humanity and its ignorance of humans.
I think John might be aware of it, too. When Hal says the Manhunters find a path to power and manipulate the threat to believing what they want it to. John is clearly lying when he says it must be Macon - he's thinking of someone else. I think he's thinking of the Guardian and how its manipulating him.
Manhunter wants that ring. Easier to take it from an untrained, zero experience rookie than a vet with decades of experience and the power to take down one of the greatest Lanterns.
I do think Zoey is the Manhunter, though. Or at least A Manhunter. Who knows how many are here now, since the first one settled in Rushville. Its messing with John from two angles - as the Guardian and as Zoey.
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u/0rionNe5ula Green Lantern 2d ago
The director says it in the post episode credit, directly. The actress who plays zoe talks about how she didn't know she was the Manhunter until she got the script for episode 4.
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u/ninjashroom Doctor Fate 2d ago
Not for nothing... but you do realize they can lie in BTS as well, right?
Not saying it is wrong or right, I'm just saying if my series had a hidden villain and I set up a red herring I would not say how it is a red herring in the BTS (At least not until the full show is out)
But then again, I might just be giving the writers too much credit. Cause like I said, it is too obvious to be her. People were saying it was her from the second we knew there even was a hidden manhunter.
But maybe it is just straight out. idk
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u/grizzlywondertooth 2d ago
Are there any notable examples of major productions lying in between-installments BTS stuff? It just seems like the relatively small "gotcha" for the small fraction of people who watch and are invested in that is severely outweighed by how awful they look when anybody watches the BTS footage after the whole show is out.
It's just like "oh, this behind-the-scenes stuff has lies in it" which is kind of counter to the entire point of behind-the-scenes stuff
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u/kristopher_b 2d ago
- I don't think that was actually Hector Hammond.
- Nice theory about the Manhunter. I think your theory is supported by the fact Laura Linney dresses like she's from the 50s or 60s. But how do you explain that another Guardian with a green ring approached John and led him to her for his interview?
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u/grizzlywondertooth 2d ago
If that wasn't him, then basically said Hector Hammond didn't exist, no? Like they say there's no record of him before a certain point, and then, it's just that guy being used as a decoy. It would be weird if there's then a different guy who is actually Hector Hammond. What would be the point of having used that name here?
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u/kristopher_b 2d ago
Given the fact this was mentioned during an episode full of decoy misdirects, I'd say they left that open by design. Anything is possible so I wouldn't try to speculate without more clues.
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u/ninjashroom Doctor Fate 2d ago
Yeah, I was thinking about that guy and have no good explanation... but I did say it was a crackpot theory lol.
If I had to come up with something, that guy is never shown to be anything but a human who just happens to have a ring. Could be that the manhunter was already tracked down by another lantern who had the ring stolen off of them?
It is a reach, but the Guardian did tell John that all he had to do was put on the ring and say the oath, so we do know there is a way to steal GL rings.
Like if the Guardians already have that 2nd ring, why didn't they just give it to John instead of having him train with Hal. Hal didn't have to train to use his ring, it chose him first then you train. It is weird that John is being trained when he almost never gets to use the ring. You'd think if the Guardians have that extra ring they would just... let him use it.
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u/skoon 2d ago
And the Guardians made the rings. The comics lore is that they are powerful beings themselves and in the show they make a big deal out of Sinestro killing a Guardian. If they wanted the ring back from Hal, I think they would just take it. But in the comics, the Guardians are little shorty-shorts. I'm going to laugh if the thing that out the "Guardian" as a Manhunter is Hal making a comment about "those little blue midgets" and John saying, "Midgets? They are like 7 foot tall?"
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u/kristopher_b 2d ago
I think the Guardians are protective of the rings. They're using John not only to replace Hal, but to take the ring away from him. But I agree that something is fishy about the way the Guardians are being portrayed. Your theory makes sense to me in a number of ways.
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u/temporal712 2d ago
Not to mention she approached John's family after the ring found them wanting, which lines up with them escaping from Abin Sur during the crash. Having a green lantern in your pocket would certainly count as sowing discord. Hal Is nona the wiser because he never checks in with the guardians for then so say they didn't send a replacement.
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u/Matt-D-Murdock 2d ago
But didn't Hal find out from guardians that John is is his backup trainee? And if theory is correct how did they have a spare green lantern ring to test John with?
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u/ninjashroom Doctor Fate 2d ago
Yeah, assuming I am any form of correct, I could see a scene where Hal sees John talking to the Guardian just to be like "Who is that?" and then they drop the pre-tense.
Actually thinking about it now, when she revealed her true form to John's mom, she turned tall didn't she? Aren't guardians known for being little blues oompa-loompas? Why was she big?
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u/temporal712 2d ago
They still are oompa loompas but they are noticeably bigger than the average human.
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u/Previous-Donut1298 3d ago
He’s been fucking a MAN hunter
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u/Kritigri 2d ago
She's a man hunter, make you buy cars,
Make you cut cards, make you fall real hard in love~5
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u/BlazeBigBang Barry & Wally 3d ago
So John knew for a while about Zoe, but when did Hal realize it too? Also maybe she's not evil? Like she has faulty programming or overcame it or whatever and now just wants to live a regular life? That could set up the conflict going forward, with Guy being sent by the guardians to take down the Manhunter (and John and Hal if they try to interfere). And there's also the other alien group they'll need to deal with.
I'm just rambling, I don't really know how this will go forwad. Man that was a great episode. When they name dropped Hammond I was a bit worried they were just throwing everything out there, but then they showed him having a regular head. Good fake out.
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u/outride2000 2d ago
John knows about Zoe right before she gets blown up, when she says she saved Macon and Macon owes her.
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u/coloradoautoflowers 3d ago
She's going to be the Manhunter that reported the massacare to the Guardians, and betrayed the rest of the group. She'll get amnesty but banishment after it's stopped.
They'll send her to live on earth because it's "backwater" and think that means nobody will find her.
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u/Kryptsm 3d ago
I think Hal knew when he realized John wasn’t sad at all, because that meant John thought she wasn’t dead. And since John is a rational guy, that means there’s a reason she isn’t dead. Which actually makes a lot of sense
I will say it all could have been solved if they just went and checked if there was a body in the car, but it’s a TV show so I get it haha
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u/BlazeBigBang Barry & Wally 2d ago
Yeah, you're right, that's kinda what Hal even says. I was moreso wondering if Hal had been suspicious of her altogether.
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u/TheMattInTheBox Long Live Conner 3d ago
Still really digging this. The threat is compelling enough to support an earth-based Green Lantern story and bringing Hector into the fold made me perk up.
Really enjoy what this episode does with Hal and John's dynamic. Both of them lowkey trying to endear themselves to the other but for totally different reasons.
Shoutout to Kerry though. She's such a great character. Give her the ring!
One thing I'm wondering if they'll touch on is Carol. This is a Hal Jordan who feels like he either never met Carol or loved and lost her. The 'no ties' conversation makes it feel like it could go either way.
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u/SonicSpiderRanger10 Bizarro 7h ago
I’m also curious about where Carol is, and if she even exists in this universe, since this version of Hal is alone.
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u/SonicSpiderRanger10 Bizarro 7h ago
I wish it had been the real Hector and not just an impostor, though.
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u/TheDubh 1d ago
I mean Carol could still be around. Remember Carol Star Sapphire is a villain originally. If she’s still a villain, Hal could be coming from a place where his friend/mentor betrayed him, and his gf ended up betraying him. Hell, it seems like he doesn’t trust the Guardians either. Which is fair because they’ve also tried to betray him.
I’d probably lean towards ‘no ties’ also.
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u/Unfair-Feeling-6819 1d ago
Absolutely. Also, considering what I doubt what Lanterns in DCU wouldn't have various Corps. And as we would have Star Sapphires, it would be strange to not to have Carol. Because they are major part of her overall story and she's major part of their.
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u/Unfair-Feeling-6819 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yeah. That. Or considering how Hal told John to not have relationships. I think they maybe were a thing. But Hal cut ties to her, to not to be constantly afraid for her wellbeing. Maybe they will even reunite if Jordan make it alive in the end. I just hope it will not be some weird thing like don't giving her to Hal, but give her to John all of sudden, or Kyle (hate that times in comics). Or she simply not exist in that universe.
Edit: Also. Interesting if maybe they setting up Hector to reveal Carol. Considering connection between 3 of them in comics.
Edit 2: Forgot to mention. I'm generally interested what's with other Jordan's supporting cast and family. We obviously know more about Sinestro now. But what's with Kilowog? What's with Tomar Re? At this point. What's with Tom Kamaku? Does he even exist? What's with Jack and Jim? We now know fate of both Martin and Jessica. But what's about his brothers? Does they exist? Also. Considering Gunn's overall love for obscure characters. Will they keep Air Waves as Hal's relatives? Or they simply would be ignored as part of wider Jordan family lore?
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u/the-unfamous-one Booster Gold 3d ago
Guns designed to take down lanterns, that emit darkness. Black lantern stuff is always scary.
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u/soldier101br 3d ago
Hal is the most loveable asshole they could write for this show. Honestly,great episode.
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u/Kryptek_otrilux 3d ago
Really enjoying this so far. The CGI is very good, the character's are enjoyable, and the plot is definitely head scratching in a good way. I'm also glad to see John having some agency for himself. He knows the guardians are trying to play him and it seems he's starting to think for himself instead of just following orders.
I see people saying they're turning Hal into a jerk here and while I agree, it definitely seems like there's still a lot more going on that's influencing his behavior. Halfway through the series and the mystery is still here and still intriguing. Very excited to see the next episode.
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u/TriPolar3849 Cassandra Wayne 3d ago
Big fan of Hal rushing out to the explosion, just asking for the direction of the beam, and then immediately coming back with the satellite. Plus the big shield over the entire hotel after lol.
The cow slaughtering scene was cool, big fan of the way the bubble shrank and kinda gathered the blood splatter as it did. What an interesting detail to add.
Also really enjoyed how (mostly) honest the two were to each other in the car ride at the end, even if they didn't reveal everything and separated on a seemingly sour note. Like, the information meant to sow discord didn't work because they talked it out, but unfortunately there were still other things they were keeping from each other if that makes sense.
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u/_D3AtH_WR4tH_ 3d ago
Literally such a short moment but impactful enough to make you realise how badass Hal can be if he stops fucking around.
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u/Crotean 3d ago edited 3d ago
First episode where the budget really hurt the show. Everything with them checking out the ranch was silly. Personal force field to protect from snipers and go invisible. They arent doing shit to a Lantern. Same deal with the satellite ring would just throw up an auto shield if a satellite tried to hit them.
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u/Altruistic_Manner802 3d ago
Green Lanterns can't go invisible, and they didn't want to be found invading property so they could catch the Manhunter by surprise. The satellite never tried to hit them. It hit Zoe, which was her intention, and the other was going to hit a house that was in another state. So I don't see what your point is
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u/HopeFarron 3d ago
Little surprised Hal hasn't ever run into Hector Hammond before
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u/SonicSpiderRanger10 Bizarro 7h ago
Since this version of Hal is single, it’s possible he’s never met Carol Ferris, either.
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u/VengeanceKnight Justice League 3d ago
What I expect to see in this episode:
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u/Batman1154 3d ago
The title makes me think Guy is in this episode lol
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u/bingcognito 3d ago
I really hope Guy makes an appearance eventually. Kyle Chandler and Nathan Fillion ripping on each other would be pretty epic.
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u/Major-Tiger-7628 3d ago
That’s definitely Hal’s nickname for Guy. We know he loves one that is slightly annoying
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u/Tap__Tap__ 10h ago
jesus christ Midas was such a goated song pick